SNAP Members Demonstrate To Call Attention Priest Sex Abuse In Philadelphia

Non-Profit Group Shows Support For Children Abused By Priests In Philadelphia

February 12, 2011 2:02 PM

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PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Members of a support group for clergy molestation victims, called ‘SNAP,’ protested outside the Philadelphia Archdiocese headquarters Friday, urging Archbishop Cardinal Rigali to ‘immediately suspend dozens of accused clerics.’ It follows the stunning grand jury report on priest abuse.

The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) agrees with grand jurors who conclude ‘not much has changed’ since a scathing 2005 report by another grand jury: the archdiocese has ‘betrayed once again’ the victims who report to its staffers.

David Clohessy is with SNAP and says the safety of children must come first. “If we err at all, we must always err on the side of protecting innocent kids over an accused criminal.”

He agrees with District Attorney Seth Williams that allegations should go to the DA, not the church:

“The one untried approach really has been criminal prosecution of those who ignore and conceal crimes,” said Clohessy.

One bystander, who was walking nearby, became a participant. Father Charles Zlock of St. Mary of the Assumption in Manayunk asked to pray with the group.

“This is what it means to be a priest. We’re just trying to be there for and with our people.”

Reported By Steve Tawa, KYW Newsradio.

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Non Profit Group Shows Support For Children Abused By Priests In Philadelphia

Judy Jones

Finally just maybe, there can be some kind of justice for victims who have been sexually used and abused by clergy.

Finally, not just the child predators will be held accountable, but also those who enabled and covered up these crimes will be held accountable.

Finally there is hope for our kids so they will not be sexually abused within the hierarchy’s secret systemic culture of protecting those who harm kids, rather than protecting the innocent children.

..And hopefully, all church officials and employees who have committed these crimes of endangering the welfare children will also be held accountable. This is the only for sure way to get these crimes against kids stopped.

Judy Jones, SNAP Midwest Associate Director, 636-433-2511
snapjudy@gmail.com
“Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests”
http://www.snapnetwork.org/
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